A group representing major appliance manufacturers – including LG, Whirlpool, GE Appliances, Electrolux, and Bosch – is challenging a new Colorado law that requires warning labels on gas stoves.
The law says that when gas stoves are sold online to Colorado customers, retailers must post a prominent label that reads: “UNDERSTAND THE AIR QUALITY IMPLICATIONS OF HAVING AN INDOOR GAS STOVE.”
The label also has to link to a state health department website describing possible health risks, such as asthma, heart and lung disease and even cancer.
The manufacturers, through their trade group (AHAM), argue that this law violates their First Amendment rights. They say the state is forcing them to deliver a message they don’t agree with: that gas stoves are dangerous.
They also argue that the required website is misleading because it highlights only studies that suggest risks while ignoring research showing no strong connection. Since the website can be updated at any time without notice, the companies worry they could be forced to promote information that changes or becomes more extreme.
AHAM’s position is that Colorado is compelling companies to spread the government’s message, not facts supported by broad scientific agreement. They believe this unfairly damages the reputation of their products and misleads consumers.
On top of that, companies that don’t comply could face fines of up to $20,000 per violation from the state, as well as private lawsuits seeking additional damages.
Writing on Grist, Sophie Hurwitz observed that many of the companies now denying the danger of gas stoves have, in the past, made claims entirely contradicting their present stance.
Last year LG claimed that: ‘The transition to electric homes not only ensures cleaner air quality but also aligns with contemporary energy efficiency trends.
‘Traditional gas appliances can emit harmful pollutants, which can compromise indoor air quality and pose health risks. By switching to electric appliances, these risks are substantially reduced, ensuring a cleaner and safer home environment.’
Now, as members of AHAM, they are presenting a different take. The new lawsuit states:
‘There is no scientific consensus that gas stoves cause harmful health effects and to suggest otherwise is highly misleading.’
It continues: ‘To be clear, the current state of the science is this: international researchers and government agencies agree that there is no consensus that indoor gas stove use is associated with – let alone causes – any health impacts.’
The lawsuit also presents an argument now frequently used by the wood-burning stove industry, that it is better than the worse possible alternatives, here quoting a WHO report: ‘when compared with polluting fuels like wood or charcoal, cooking with gas “significantly lowered the risk of pneumonia, wheeze, cough, breathlessness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, pulmonary function deficit, severe respiratory illness or death, and low birth weight.”’
In fact, The WHO have found that children in homes with gas cooking appliances have a 20% increased risk of lower respiratory illness.
AHAM are also accusing those supporting the legislation of coming into the debate with a climate agenda, quoting one council member saying in support of the legislation: ‘By labeling appliances with a warning, manufacturers can encourage the development and adoption of cleaner alternatives, like electric stoves or induction cooktops, which have lower environmental impacts.’
Speaking at the launch of Clasp in 2023, Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air, Global Action Plan said: ‘It is a myth that gas is ‘natural’ or ‘clean.’ Shamefully, the gas industry has invested heavily in positioning gas as a safe and preferred cooking option. In part because of these efforts, people are genuinely unaware of the health and environmental risks posed by gas cooking, which are well documented through decades of research.’
At our National Air Quality Conference in London on 4th November, the panel discussion will focus on domestic wood burning and emissions from cooking, both domestic and commercial. Early bird tickets are nearly gone.
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